VOA Internships
VOA INTERNSHIPS
VOA offers hands-on internships to motivated, hard-working and enthusiastic students, providing them opportunities to participate in daily and long-term news and media production projects. Interns develop their skills through practical experience while supporting VOA’s mission of providing objective news and information and telling America’s story to audiences around the world.
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VOA interns are required to meet deadlines and follow through on assignments while being supervised and mentored by experienced international journalists, media producers and support staff. They also have the opportunity to pitch ideas and bring those to fruition.
Applicants must be university students and have a good working knowledge of English, both oral and written (high school students of at least 16 years of age with outstanding qualifications may also be considered). Interns must be U.S. citizens or have lived in the U.S. for three consecutive years out of the last five years.
Interns with good working knowledge of one of VOA’s 48 languages are particularly in demand. Work experience in the field is not required. We commonly accept interns studying journalism, broadcasting, international relations and related disciplines, but we also offer internships for students of studio production, TESOL, graphics, information and library studies, communications and public relations. We are also open to students of other disciples who can articulate their specific interest in an internship at VOA.
Interns should expect to devote at least two months to their VOA internships, which require an on-site component of at least four days in the office per week for the first month and a combination of in-office and telework in the second month, subject to supervisory approvals. Interns’ minimum time commitment will be 40 hours per week during the summer and at least 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters. Certain internships may include remote work opportunities, with supervisor approval.
VOA internships are unpaid. Academic credit may be available, depending on the intern’s school. Any costs (travel, housing, meals, etc.) are the responsibility of the intern. Interns are responsible for any medical or other health costs that may be incurred. VOA is unable to assist prospective interns in the procurement of United States visas.
An internship does not, in any way, constitute a commitment to future employment with VOA, the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), or the U.S. government.
How to apply:
- Write a short cover letter explaining what you would hope to accomplish from an internship at VOA.
- Provide an updated and structured resume/CV. Links to digital samples of your work are welcome.
- If applying for a Language Service internship with focus on journalism, please provide a writing sample in the language used by that service.
Interns are selected on a rolling basis. Apply January-February for summer internships, May-June for fall internships, and October-November for spring internships. Internships are contingent upon the successful completion of a background security check that will be performed after the acceptance of a VOA tentative internship offer. All interns will be required to complete VOA's New Employee Orientation training series. A public transportation stipend may be provided to interns for the period of the on-site internship component.
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